Hughes was found dying at the end of the driveway on Plymouth Avenue SE near Griggs Street. In the house, a birthday party was taking place in a dark, hot basement filled with teens dancing to loud music.

Within days after the shooting death, 17-year-old Cummings – 16 at the time of the shooting, was charged with open murder.

The trial lasted more than two weeks where Kent County Assistant Prosecutor James Benison presented witnesses from among the 100 who attended the party, including one teen, Desean Bass, who said he saw Cummings pull out a gun and shoot Hughes.

“I think the jury just didn't believe Desean Bass,” said defense attorney Scott Pederson. “They ended up not knowing who to believe.”

Pederson argued that Cummings was seen in the basement as the shooting went on upstairs, and that there were so many people at the party, it is impossible to know who actually did the shooting.

Courtesy PhotoSanqua Cummings

Courtesy PhotoAndrew Ramon Scott

Online commenters were quick to blame what they see as a flawed jury selection process.

“So many of you are blind to the system!! That's why we have murderers walking free (Casey Anthony). Jury selection is a joke....and so was the verdict in this case,” wrote nothingshocksme.

“We get the lowest common denominator as jurists - guaranteed through Voir Dire - and let these that we wouldn't let tie our shoes come to the conclusion - after being selected for their ease in shaping opinions - that this murderer walks. 100 at the party -- nobody else even remotely seen as a "person of interest" and this murderer walks - our little neighborhood O.J. – great,” wrote Dr. Ken Noisewater.

Bragg’s grandmother was also shocked at the verdict.

I don't know what to make of it, but it's not right,” said Lonnie Wedgeworth. “I'm going to leave it in the hands of the man upstairs because the man down here couldn't get it done.”

But in one case, it was the guilty verdict that prompted head-shaking by defense attorney Matthew Herman.

Herman had argued that Scott was worried that Braggs, allegedly the Southeast Side neighborhood marijuana connection, was seeking to harm him, and he fired his gun in self-defense.

Scott was convicted of shooting from his van as the two pulled side-by-side on Alexander Street SE.

“I’m shocked the jury came back so fast,” said Herman.

Herman said after dozens of witnesses testifying, video and physical evidence being admitted during the five-day trial – the jury did not ask to look at any exhibits during its short deliberation.

But a member of that jury defended the verdict, saying he is 100 percent sure that Scott murdered Braggs.

The jury member said Scott’s behavior was indicative of a killer and the self-defense tactic was “ a lot of smoke and mirrors.”

“I really believe we did everything we could within the limits of the law to give (Scott) a chance to explain,” the juror, who did not want to be named, said. “The fatal shot was in Bragg’s back and that really played a huge role.”

But while juries may get second-guessed, Kent County Jury Clerk Stacy Johnson said jurors overall see the experience as valuable and enlightening.

“Very seldom do I hear anyone complain about jury duty,” said Johnson. “We get a lot of positive feedback.”